January 20, 2020
Enhancing Economic Development in East Texas
ETCOG is here to support its members through two primary objectives: to provide a forum for local elected officials to solve common problems, and to be a solutions provider for our members. On Friday, January 24th, ETCOG leaders met with the Texas City Managers Association, Region 5, for its annual meeting to share how we are here to enhance economic development in East Texas and offer regional assistance to our members. ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland, and Director of Workforce and Economic Development, Doug Shryock, spoke to the group on the program we administer to do so, the East Texas Economic Development District.
What is the East Texas Economic Development District (ETEDD)?
Economic Development Districts (EDDs) are designated by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help lead the locally-based, regionally driven economic development planning process that leverages the involvement of the public, private and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint (i.e., an economic development roadmap) for regional collaboration.
ETCOG receives a three-year planning grant from the EDA, and with those funds we undertake several activities in the East Texas region through the East Texas Economic Development District Board.
How is the ETEDD set up?
The ETEDD is aligned with ETCOG’s 14 county region. There are two board members from each county; One appointment by the county judge and one appointed by the ETCOG Executive Committee representative from each county. The Board has four primary functions:
- Serve as a regional forum to solve common economic development issues
- To identify and resolve economic development and competitive issues facing the region
- Roundtable discussion on regional projects and barrier resolution
- To maintain an updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region
What are the services provided?
- Grant Research
- Grant Writing
- Grant Acquisition for Economic Development Projects
- Post Grant Administration
- Strategic Planning
- Redeveloping Brownfield Sites
- Prospect Support and Advice
- Incubator Grant (Business Park)
- Upgrading Infrastructure to Attract New Industry
- Technical Support Services
- Needs Analysis
- Economic Studies
- Site Visits
Need assistance? Contact the ETEDD
Visit our new website to find out about Opportunity Zones, CEDS, Grant Services, County Profiles, and more!
www.etedd.org
ETCOG is proud to host the Texas Department of Agriculture on March 12th to hold a TxCDBG Regional Outreach Meeting. Join us to hear a TxCDBG grant program overview of requirements, allocation formula, upcoming funding opportunities, and TDA's one-year action plan. Eligible applicants in our region are all non-entitlement communities, which include all of our cities with the exception of Tyler, Marshall, and Longview. When Thursday, March 12, 2026 10:00 AM Where ETCOG Headquarters 3800 Stone Road Kilgore, TX 75662 Please RSVP your attendance !
ETCOG is proud to host the Texas Department of Agriculture on November 30th to hold a TxCDBG Kickoff Meeting. Join us to hear about grant allocations planned for our region and an overview of proposed changes to the application process.
The East Texas Council of Governments wants to ensure that our region is well-educated on recognizing housing discrimination and how to avoid and report it if encountered. Your voice matters! Take our Housing Survey.
